Tag: Georgia

Georgia officials have been urging drivers to steer clear of the roads as ice and snow continued to settle all across metro Atlanta and South Georgia.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has warned motorists to stay off the roads, and has especially warned against traveling south and east of I-85 and south of I-20.

Multiple FOX 5 Atlanta viewers who have gotten stuck on the roads say they’ve tried calling 911, but crews have been unable to reach them under the current conditions.

One metro Atlanta resident told FOX 5’s Marc Teichner on Wednesday morning that his wife had been trapped in her car since 4 p.m. Tuesday and that a car had hit her vehicle while it had been stranded on the side of the road.

Georgia road closures, hazards

What we know:

MARTA

Bus, Streetcar, and Mobility services will be suspended on Wednesday. Rail service will run infrequently based on available operators.

Bibb County

Deputies are asking drivers to avoid Interstate 75 and Interstate 475 due to the current road conditions. While the county is working with GDOT to make roads safe to travel, officials say there not an estimated time that will happen.

Authorities are warning drivers to beware of bridges and overpasses due to black ice.

Butts County

Closed roads: Halls Bridge Road from Highway 36 to Dockside Drive

Clayton County

Clayton County got two to three inches of snow. It covered the roads, making driving treacherous. 

The snow started falling heavily and steadily right about the time people were heading home from work. The roads were slick enough to send cars sliding sideways or into ditches. 

One woman who came from Cobb County was surprised how the conditions dramatically changed by the time she got to Atlanta.

“I didn’t think it was going to do all this. I came from Marietta and this surprised me because there was nothing in Marietta. I’m just praying everybody remains safe,” said Jana Williams.

In most cases, drivers were looking out for each other. When Miracle Ballard got stuck in Forest Park, plenty of people tried to help.

“We tried to get up this hill, and we were slippping and sliding, and we saw this young lady, and she was stuck. So, we parked up there and tried to help her,” said Tamika Saffo. 

“It’s a blessing, I can say that, definitely a blessing. I was nervous, had some anxiety ,so thank God they stopped and came out here to help,” said Miracle Ballard.  

State and local officials are saying if you don’t have to get out on the roads, stay home and stay safe.

FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Denise Dillon contributed to this report.

DeKalb County

Roads to avoid: North Druid Hills Road from East Roxboro to past North Cliff Valley Way; Ashford Dunwoody Road between West Nancy Creek and Dunwoody Place; Dresden Drive between Clairmont Road and North Thompson Road; Drew Valley Road at Buford Highway; Briarwood Road between Northeast Expressway and Briarwood Park

Police in Dunwoody say drivers should “exercise extreme caution” and be ready for potential delays or road closures if traveling on Wednesday. 

FOX 5 cameras spotted cars struggling to drive on the slick icy blanketing Redan Road near Panola Road in Stone Mountain.

Good Day Atlanta’s Brooke Zauner saw more than a dozen cars stranded on North Druid Hills Road as other drivers attempted to traverse the frozen street.

Fayette County

Peachtree City police are asking drivers to stay off the roads until at least late Wednesday morning.

In a post on Facebook late Tuesday night, the police department wrote that “99.9% of our roadways are impassible.”

“It’s honestly looking like an episode of ‘The Walking Dead’ out here,” officials wrote, saying that many drivers have had to abandon their vehicles.

Police are asking drivers to “stay put” and let conditions improve before driving.

Fulton County

An accident due to icy roads shut down part of the Downtown Connector early Wednesday morning.

The crash happened on the southbound lanes between University Avene and Lakewood Freeway. All lanes are blocked.

The Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency says all roadway sensors are reporting at or below freezing, leading to slick spots.

“Remember, when there’s snow, take it slow,” a spokesperson said.

One driver lost control on Tuesday afternoon, crashing into Buckhead Saloon, located on Irby Road NW.

Luckily, no one was injured. The business, however, took on significant damage.

The business was set to reopen in just three weeks after a fire in 2024 forced them to shut down their original location.

On Wednesday morning, salt trucks had to be brought out to deal with the icy mess after a water main break turned part of South Fulton Parkway and Hunter Road into a slick hazard for vehicles.

Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts urged residents to think twice about getting on the road.

“It may look innocent, but when you have conditions that we’re faced with, snow coming down and the temperatures where they are,” he explained, “the streets are in fact dangerous.”

Fulton County and City of Atlanta offices will be closed on Wednesday out of an abundance of caution.

Atlanta officials say the city’s DOT crews are working on 12-hour rotating shifts to try and treat the city’s high-volume roadways and arteries. While this is going on, officials say it is still best to stay off the roads if you can.

FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Joi Dukes contributed to this report.

Gwinnett County

Icy roads caused a 10-car pileup along Indian Trail and Steve Reynolds Boulevard in Gwinnett County.

In Lawrenceville, the following roads have been closed: Clayton Street at Oak Street; Perry Street at Oak Street; Oak Street to Born Street; Simonton Road from New Hope Road to the traffic circle; Paper Mill Road to Spring Lake Road; Gwinnett Drive at Lawrenceville Highway.

In Lilburn, police are reporting multiple abandoned vehicles.

“Yes, that’s a Jeep. A capable off-road, 4-wheel drive vehicle. Abandoned on Arcado Road,” a spokesperson for the Lilburn Police Department said on social media. “If you have to abandon your vehicle, please try to at least get it out of the roadways.”

FOX 5 Atlanta spoke to a woman who has been stranded at a Lilburn Kroger for hours after she says she was t-boned before 6 p.m.

“My husband tried to come get me a few times,” Cosette Schmid said. “It was just too icy, there were cars in ditches. He just couldn’t even make it out.”

Schmid said she called 911 twice for help.

“They said that as long as my car is drivable, they’ll just get my information and the police will get back to me tomorrow,” she explained.

The grocery store allowed her to wait inside until 11 p.m. After that, she said she planned to wait in her car with the heater on.

On Wednesday morning, Gwinnett County officials said that Mink Livsey Road at Harley Beth Drive in Snellville was not passable due to the icy road and dozens of abandoned vehicles.

“The Gwinnett Police Department is aware of many vehicles around the county that were abandoned because of the weather and road conditions over night,” the Gwinnett Police Department wrote in a statement. “Please make an effort to remove your abandoned vehicles as soon as it is safe to do so.”

FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Rob DiRienzo contributed to this report.

Henry County

Closed roads: Mount Olive Road and Jodeco Road; Rock Quarry Road and Windsong Drive

Roads to avoid: Willow Lane and Jonesboro Road; Heritage Way and Jonesboro Road; Jodeco Road and Flippen Road; McDonough Parkway and Highway 42 N, Flat Rock Road and Windsong Court; Carriage Lake Drive and Walt Stephens Road; Valley Hill Road and East Atlanta Road; Flakes Mill Road and Cook Drive

Lamar County

Deputies in Lamar County shut down part of Georgia Highway 36 due to multiple stranded vehicles on the route. In an update Tuesday night, the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office said they were waiting on the Department of Transportation to finish salting the highway.

“All of our county roads are icing over,” the department wrote. “We anticipate them staying this way until we get above freezing.” 

Monroe County

Interstate 75 southbound near State Route 19 was closed as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Morgan County

“For the second time this month, we kindly ask everyone to stay home, unless it’s an absolute emergency for you to leave. Travel conditions are not ideal, and we are currently working several motor vehicle accidents,” a spokesperson from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said. “We appreciate your cooperation. Stay home, stay safe, and stay warm.”

Newton County

While the roads may look okay, videos taken by FOX 5 Atlanta viewers show that black ice could be hiding under the snow. A spokesperson from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office said crews have already responded to 15 weather-related incidents.

“Conditions are rapidly worsening, and it’s becoming nearly impossible to drive safely,” the spokesperson said. “Please stay off the roadways unless absolutely necessary to help keep everyone safe.”

“It is crazy,” said Michelle Harps. “I’m from the north, but the roads are pretty bad. I’m kind of used to it, because I’m from New Jersey, so this little bit of snow doesn’t bother me. But it’s the people not used to it on the road who make me nervous.”

“My wife isn’t pleased because she didn’t want me to go to work last time this happened. It took me two-and-a-half hours to get home from Alpharetta,” said Earl Dooley. “It’s starting to stick on some of the small roads, so I’m taking the main roads to get home.”

Stay off the roads. It isn’t worth going out unless it is an absolute emergency. Let the road crews do their jobs.

FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Christopher King contributed to this report.

Rockdale County

Roads to avoid: Almond Road between Irwin Bridge and Interstate 20; Georgia Highway 138 SW and East Fairview Road SW; Almand Road NW and Mount Zion Road NW; Smyrna Road SW and Georgia Highway 212 SW (between 212 and McDaniel Mill); Georgia Highway 138 SW and Tucker Mill Road; Milstead Road NE and Georgia Highway 20 NE

South Fulton

The City of South Fulton reported two water main breaks at Commerce Drive and Fulton Industrial, and South Fulton Parkway and Mason/Hunter Road. With Tuesday night’s below-freezing temperatures, the leaking water has the potential to create black ice on the roads.

Atlanta Watershed has been dispatched for repair.

Spalding County

Closed roads: North 9th Street at Poplar Street; Jordan Hill Road; East McIntosh Road from Old Atlanta Road to North 9th Street; Baptist Camp Road; Henry Jackson Road; West Ellis Road from Henry Jackson to City Limits; Northside Drive from North 9th Street to Greenbrier Drive; South McDonough Road from Rehoboth Road to Jonan Road; Newton Road; North 9th Street from Lakewood Drive to Northside Drive; Bleachery Street from North 9th Street to Railroad Avenue

Troup County

The Troup County Emergency Management Agency is enforcing a curfew due to “unsafe travel.” As of 6 p.m., only emergency vehicles should be on the roads and bridges until further notice.

There will be a strict travel curfew in place for all of Troup County from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. The curfew was signed by County Chairman Crews.

“Please stay home and enjoy the snow,” a spokesperson said.

What you can do:

If you notice ice on the roadway, contact 511. GDOT is available 24/7 for assistance.

How to drive on icy roads

What you can do:

Georgia officials are urging all motorists to stay off the road. But if you have to trek through the ice and snow, here are some ways you can help ensure a safer journey during winter weather:

Prepare before you drive: Ensure your vehicle is winter-ready. Check tire tread depth, inflate tires to the recommended pressure, and consider using snow tires or chains in particularly icy areas. Keep an emergency kit in your car, including blankets, a flashlight, and non-perishable food.

Reduce your speed: Speed is one of the primary factors in icy-road accidents. Drive well below the posted speed limit, and maintain a consistent pace. Avoid sudden accelerations or braking, which can cause your vehicle to lose traction.

Increase following distance: Leave at least five to six seconds of space between your car and the vehicle in front of you. This extra room gives you more time to react if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly.

Brake and accelerate gently: Sudden movements can lead to skidding. Apply the brakes gently and start accelerating slowly to maintain control. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), let the system do its job by maintaining steady pressure on the brake pedal.

Steer smoothly: Avoid sharp turns or jerky steering motions. If your car begins to skid, remain calm and steer in the direction you want the car to go, avoiding overcorrection.

Be cautious on bridges and overpasses: These surfaces freeze more quickly than regular roads. Approach them with extra caution and avoid sudden maneuvers while crossing.

Know how to handle skids: If your car starts to slide, take your foot off the accelerator and avoid slamming the brakes. Steer gently in the direction you want to go and wait for the tires to regain traction.

Stay alert: Keep your eyes on the road and anticipate potential hazards, such as black ice or vehicles losing control. Avoid distractions like cell phones, even when conditions seem manageable.

Avoid unnecessary travel: If the weather forecast predicts icy conditions, postpone non-essential trips whenever possible. Safety should always take precedence over convenience.

Georgia Wednesday winter weather forecast

What’s next:

The Georgia Department of Transportation is already expecting Wednesday morning’s commute to be dicey for motorists.

Right now, they hoping the temperatures have  a chance to rise so crews can get as much moisture off the roads as possible before a potential refreeze.

Keep up with the latest by downloading the FREE FOX 5 Storm Team app and following @FOX5StormTeam on X. 

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